Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Cairngorms National Park and Monadhliath. Also includes the Ben Alder area hills between Loch Ericht and Loch Laggan.
Today's Forecast
Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
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Severe gale or storm, mobility very difficult
Severe conditions on the mountains, any movement very challenging, you may be blown over. 55-70mph+
Patchy rain or drizzle
Rain on and off, or generally drizzly - total amounts small, but may be persistently damp, especially where hills are shrouded in cloud.
Warm
Comfortable temperatures on the hills, 10 to 15C on tops, feeling pleasantly warm especially on lower ground. Beware of feeling cooler if exposed to wind on higher terrain.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Sunday 6th September 2026
Last updated
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
Summary for all mountain areas
Gales spread widely across Scotland, severe over high north and west tops. Drizzle over the Highlands, rainy early and late, wettest Northwest Highlands. Early showery rain over Wales passes into England, clearing northeast for sun through high cloud afternoon; windy here too. Warm, but feeling chilly in wind.
Headline for Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Gales, becoming severe; drizzle, early and late patchy rain
How windy? (On the Munros)
South to southwesterly 45 to 55mph, strongest over Cairngorm plateau, plus local powerful gusts downslope to north. Sustained speeds trend towards 60mph, gusting 70mph+ over the Cairngorm plateau later.
Effect of the wind on you?
Increasingly challenging conditions on exposed terrain, walking and balance difficult in places, not just on high terrain. Strongest gusts will blow you around, including on the ground. Considerable wind chill despite mild air.
How Wet?
Early and late rain, drizzle in between
A broad area of rain in the early hours mostly breaks, leaving a lingering drizzle on high tops and southern slopes. Later, several pulses of rain will return from the west, most substantial falls around Drumochter.
Cloud on the hills?
Most persistent south
Banks of cloud over high terrain, most extensive just at dawn, but tending to lift and break to banks rolling across Cairngorm plateau, lowest bases to the south. Northern slopes may see a largely clear window for several afternoon hours, then cloud returns more widely later in the day.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
30%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Sunny breaks on lower northern slopes, visibility very good here during clear windows. Elsewhere overcast, mostly poor visibility.
How Cold? (at 900m)
10 to 12C, humid all day, rising on some slopes to 14C, notably north Cairngorms. Cooling notably overnight. Feeling near to 0C directly in the wind.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Monday 7th September 2026
Last updated
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Southwesterly 40 to 55mph, speeds rising, to sustained 70mph over Cairngorms, gusting stronger into night.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions with frequent buffeting, any mobility increasingly very challenging high up. Significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Rain returns, heavy at times
Overnight rain likely clears eastward up to dawn, leaving a drier window into the morning, then some heavy showery bursts move in from southwest, some prolonged falls forming.
Cloud on the hills?
Varying on higher slopes
Often confined above 900-1000m and breaking for periods above 1200m, particularly north and eastern areas. Lowering banks over tops around rain, more widespread for periods through afternoon.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
50%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Occasional sun mainly morning northern Cairngorms. Visibility good when dry, possible slight haze, then reducing in rain.
How Cold? (at 900m)
6 or 7C to start, rising a degree east Cairngorms, then widely 6C afternoon. Feeling like -7 to -10C in the wind on tops.
Freezing Level
Above the summits.
Viewing Forecast For
Cairngorms NP and Monadhliath
Tuesday 8th September 2026
Last updated
Sat 5th Sep 26 at
4:28PM
How windy? (On the Munros)
Westerly shifting northwesterly 55-70mph, strongest early, most powerful gusts to 80mph+. Tending to lessen somewhat.
Effect of the wind on you?
Difficult conditions all day, most powerful gusts early knocking you over and blowing you around; significant wind chill.
How Wet?
Showers, pulses of steady rain
Showers drift from the north and west all day, with pulses of persistent rain coming and going as well; heavy falls with some hail likely, sleet mixed in on high Cairngorms.
Cloud on the hills?
Extensive over high terrain
Blanket cloud from middle slopes up near and west of the A9 to start, a few higher breaks to the east at times. Bases tend to lift slightly, though unlikely breaking above 1000m, lowering around rain, and more extensive across north Cairngorms later.
Chance of cloud free Munros?
20%
Sunshine and air clarity?
Rare bright glimpses. Mostly poor visibility in cloud and rain; later very good on lower south Cairngorms.
How Cold? (at 900m)
4 to 6C, may rise a degree around Deeside. Feeling like -5 to -7C in direct wind, to -10C or colder early.
Freezing Level
Just above the highest summits.
Planning Outlook
Generally unsettled onward into next week with spells of rain and showers moving in from the Atlantic, accompanied by frequently strong to gale force mountain winds. Temperatures will vary, mildest toward the south, but cooler air moves in from the north at times bringing higher Scottish tops occasionally close to freezing point. A few high pressure ridges will briefly bring brighter drier spells: Wednesday likely sees a brief good weather window, though cloud moves into the west with time, and indications suggest another window may arise Friday into Saturday, though this remains uncertain. Longer settled windows forming from mid-month, particularly England and Wales. Temperatures will be generally near or above average, best sunny windows around east hill groups.